Sunbury Historical Tours

01/10/2026

A Unified Vision for Jacksons Hill:
Turning Our Heritage into a Thriving Tourism and Cultural Hub

As someone who has dedicated time to walking the grounds of Jacksons Hill, sharing its deep history, and keeping the memories of those who lived, breathed, and sadly lost their lives there alive through Sunbury Historical Tours, I want to share a transparent & grounded update on what is happening with the site, alongside a hopeful and ambitious vision for how our community could possibly work together.

The Facts of the Sale
The Buyer & Purpose: Official land title and planning records confirm that the property was sold by the Victorian Minister for Planning to Micjoy Pty Ltd (an entity associated with Nine Entertainment Co.) to transform three vacant historic buildings:
Building 1: the former Female Infirmary Ward
Building 2: the Female Admission and Special Wards
Building 3: the former hospital buildings into the filming location for its season 23 of The Block.

The Sale Price: Land transfer records show a registered consideration (sale price) of $1,100,000.00. (Unbelievably cheap considering)

Timeline & Status: The transfer was lodged and registered under dealing number BA861853H.

How to Oppose: For community members who wish to contest the redevelopment, the formal avenue is through the Heritage Victoria permit application process.
Detailed architectural plans and structural proposals have been lodged, and public submissions are open until October 6, 2026.

My Personal Perspective:
Why I Do Not Oppose this personally but do still respect why others understandably do wish to fight the project.

For years, anyone who has walked the grounds could see the tragic reality of these magnificent historic buildings just sitting abandoned, falling victim to weather, water, possums and cockatoo damage & vandalism, sliding closer and closer to becoming literal rubble.
When heritage structures are left to rot, we don’t just lose the bricks and mortar; sadly, we lose the tangible, physical connection to the past forever.
At the end of the day, a building left to decay serves no one. If this high-profile project serves as the catalyst to finally stabilise, rescue, and breathe some much needed life back into these magnificent historic buildings under strict heritage protection, then seeing them saved from destruction is what matters most.

A Next-Level Tourism Precinct: Uniting The Council, Sunbury Asylum Alliance, and Sunbury Historical Tours to play a role in bringing something special to this site for the whole community to enjoy.
We don’t need a bitter division; we need to leverage this moment to create something extraordinary for Sunbury.
By strategically linking our assets, we can build a next-level regional tourism and cultural destination:

Integrating Council Assets & The Arts Precinct:
Hume City Council already holds and manages vital spaces on the hill, such as the historic former women's reformatory/refractory prison building, which can anchor a vibrant arts precinct, celebrating local creativity and culture.

Fulfilling the Sunbury Asylum Alliance’s Vision
Transform the remaining historic buildings into a public community, cultural and education hub, providing:
Arts and culture: Spaces for artists, performers and existing tenants such as Boilerhouse Theatre Company and 3NRG.
Education and training: Trade training, youth programs, TAFE and tertiary education.
Community and enterprise: Spaces for community groups, social enterprises, cafés and small businesses.
This approach preserves the precinct’s heritage, public purpose and educational legacy while creating a sustainable community hub.

Catalyzing Local Business and Commercial Growth:
National television exposure through The Block acts as an unprecedented magnet, putting Sunbury firmly on the map. This high-profile spotlight creates the exact economic foot-traffic needed to entice independent cafes, artisan restaurants, and local small businesses to open up on the hill, turning a neglected historic pocket into a vibrant weekend destination.

A Permanent Home for Education and Independent Tours:
With the site rescued from vandals, structurally secure, and buzzing with visitors, we can thoughtfully designate specific areas for permanent, high-quality historical displays & allow me to peacefully and independently run my historical tours once again and educate the public, honouring the true stories of those who passed through, and driving ongoing, sustainable tourism that directly benefits our local traders and non-for-profit initiatives.

By moving past conflict and focusing on our shared love for Sunbury, we have a rare window to rescue these buildings from becoming rubble and forge a connected, thriving future where everyone in our community can benefit, visit, and take pride in Jacksons Hill.

30/09/2026

24/09/2026

17/09/2026

📣 Exclusive Announcement 📣

Sunbury, I’ve got some massive news, and I wanted you to be the first to hear it, right here, right now.

The Block, 2027 is coming to Sunbury 👏

It will be filmed and delivered using three of more than a dozen heritage buildings at Jacksons Hill, kickstarting the next stage of our master plan.

For many years, you and I have been working hard to secure the future and protect heritage buildings at Jacksons Hill – and now we have taken another huge step forward in doing just that.

I know people may be concerned about what this will mean for the future of the site. However, as it currently stands, these beautiful buildings are simply destined to deteriorate beyond repair – taking with them the important history, and legacy they represent.

The site is included in the Victorian Heritage Register and is of historical significance to the State of Victoria. Channel Nine and “The Block,” are required to obtain approval from Heritage Victoria for all proposed works and activities, safeguarding the site's heritage values, in three buildings which have been vacant, empty and deteriorating since 2010.

Put simply, this means that these heritage buildings will be refurbished under strict supervision from Heritage Victoria, rather than being demolished.

Since saving this site in 2015, we have come a long way in helping to save and protect one of our most coveted local landmarks – and there is still more to do.

In that time, we have upgraded both Sunbury Primary and Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialist schools, and in 2025 we opened our brand-new Community Arts and Cultural Precinct – Artise – creating a new home for many of Sunbury’s thriving creative and cultural groups and delivering on our commitment to open these spaces back up to the community.

Today’s announcement, and what will follow, will continue our work to revitalise this site – attracting further investment such as cafes, retail opportunities, restaurants, and vibrant community spaces.

It is good for local tourism, and it is good for local small and medium businesses – supporting our thriving local economy.

When we came to office it was, to some, at its end-of-life – disused, disregarded and in disrepair – never to be opened up.

This major milestone is the vital next stage of the masterplan the community helped create in 2018 which recommended active re-use and protection of this site – to revisit the masterplan please head to https://vpa.vic.gov.au/project/jacksons-hill-masterplan/

The heritage permit application will be publicly advertised later this month, and submissions can also be made during that time.

We said we would create a new future for Jacksons Hill – and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

22/08/2026

Well …… looks like these historic beautiful buildings are earmarked for future residential…… Ofcourse this was the plan all along !!!! So glad we got the opportunity to run our tours 🙏❤️when we did and you guys got the chance to enjoy the history for one last time 🫶

18/07/2026

An Important Update from Sunbury Historical Tours regarding the
Draft Hume Planning Scheme Amendment C283hume

I have formally made a submission to The Draft Hume Planning Scheme Amendment C283 hume, requesting that the future planning framework for the former Sunbury Mental Hospital site recognise the importance of heritage interpretation, community connection and opportunities for respectful public engagement.

As part of this submission, I have requested consideration for the reinstatement of Sunbury Historical Tours at Jacksons Hill through a carefully managed heritage tourism and interpretation programme.

For approximately seven years, Sunbury Historical Tours provided the community with the opportunity to learn about the remarkable and complex history of this significant site, sharing the stories of patients, families, nurses, healthcare workers, staff, and the many people whose lives were connected to the former hospital.

The response from the community since raising the possibility of bringing the tours back has been truly overwhelming. I have heard from former staff, healthcare workers, historians, local residents and many people who feel a strong connection to Jackson's Hill and believe these stories should continue to be shared with future generations.

We will responsibly return tours with appropriate approvals, safety requirements, insurance, and respect for the site's heritage significance.

I would like to thank everyone who has shared memories, encouragement and support. Your messages demonstrate how meaningful Jacksons Hill is to so many people.

I will continue to advocate for the preservation and respectful interpretation of this important part of Sunbury’s history and will keep you updated as this process progresses.

Draft Hume Planning Scheme Amendment C283hume
https://engage.vic.gov.au/project/draft-hume-planning-scheme-amendment-c283hume/participate
Click on the above link and have your say :) support for Sunbury Historical Tours to return would be so very much appreciated !!!!

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Julie Mills
Sunbury Historical Tours

29/05/2026

Just to let you all know .....
I’m currently exploring the possibility of restarting my historical tours and am making enquiries. I’m hoping to regain access to the buildings, and if permission is granted, I plan to resume operations in the near future. Let me know if you would be interested in attending one ....... Watch this space ........ Julie Mills